Toolless disassembly rotational vacuum coupling

ABSTRACT

A hand disassembly rotational valve coupling for tool less manipulation by a user&#39;s hands and fingers using a coupling housing body defining an output seal aperture close to an output handle retention slot and slot lip, where the slot lip has a slot handle gap and an output seal retainer including a coupling handle ring with a first triangulated offset body retention ears and hand graspable handles separated by a ring handle gap for hand assembly and disassembly from the coupling housing body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to intellectual property rights such as but not limited to copyright, trademark, and/or trade dress protection. The owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records but otherwise reserves all rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in rotational vacuum couplings. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements particularly suited for providing hand disassembled vacuum tube couplings for meat processing facilities that must be regularly disassembled and cleaned. In particular, the present invention relates to a toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling with a hand operable securing ring.

Description of the Known Art.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, couplings are known in various forms. Patents disclosing information relevant to various aspects of the prior art include: U.S. Pat. No. 2,025,848, issued to Collis on Dec. 31, 1935 entitled Locking device for pins, bolts, or the like; U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,306, issued to Allert on Sep. 5, 2000 entitled Securing ring (“c” clip); and U.S. Pat. No. 9,533,405, issued to Chern on Jan. 3, 2017 entitled C-clip tool. Each of these patents is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

In meat processing facilities one of the biggest problems is cleanliness and maintaining a clean environment to avoid bacteria growth, the introduction of foreign objects, or other contaminants that would cause health issues. Every piece of machinery has to be able to be disassembled and cleaned, and must be manufactured out of food grade material. It is also necessary to completely disassemble processing equipment for cleaning on a regular basis such as once per day or at the end of each shift. Most current equipment is complicated to disassemble, clean, and reassemble.

From these prior references and problems it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization, and an improved toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling is needed to overcome these limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling uses a weld mount tube threaded into a flexing arm extension of a non-rotating coupling housing body such that it is flowably connected to the first end of the coupling housing body. The opposing end of the coupling housing body is then flowably and sealably connected to a rotating output tube using an output seal that is secured by an output seal retainer. The seal and output seal retainer can be released without tools through the use of a coupling handle ring. This allows a hand assembly and disassembly of the coupling without requiring tools. This also provides an assembled unit of food grade material that is easily sterilized to provide easy cleaning of the disassembled parts. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a meat processing tank with a vacuum input hose connected by a toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling to a rotating drum.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling positioned between a weld mount tube and a rotating output tube.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view along line A-A of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a side view of the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling positioned between the weld mount tube and the rotating output tube.

FIG. 5 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a back view thereof.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the weld mount tube.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the weld mount tube.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the weld mount input flange.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the weld mount output flange.

FIG. 12 is a cutaway view along line A-A of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 is a magnified view of the area B of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is a back view of the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling.

FIG. 15 is a cutaway view along line A-A of FIG. 14 .

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling.

FIG. 17 is a back view of the coupling housing body.

FIG. 18 is a cutaway view along line A-A of FIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is a top view of the coupling housing body.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the angle handle body.

FIG. 21 is a back view of the rotational output tube seal.

FIG. 22 is a cutaway view along line A-A of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 is a back view of the output seal retainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1 through 23 of the drawings, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally shown in a meat 12 processing line 5 using a toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100 positioned between 1) a flexible vacuum pickup tube 10 coupled to the weld mount tube 200 and 2) the rotating output tube 800 rotating with a rotational meat treatment drum 20. A vacuum is pulled on the interior of the drum 20 where meat 12 is tumble rotated for treatment with items such as marinades. The meat 12 is loaded into the drum via the vacuum suction. The vacuum suction start in the drum 20 and acts through the rotating output tube 800, the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100, the weld mount tube 200, and through the flexible vacuum pickup tube 10 where the suction picks up the meat 12 and transfers it back to the drum 20. In this configuration, the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100 provides a coupling between a fixed position input elbow weld mount tube 200 and a rotating output tube 800.

The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100 is constructed with a weld mount tube 200 threaded into a non-rotating coupling housing body 300 with the output end using a rotational output tube seal 500 held in place by a coupling handle ring 700 positioned around an output tube 800. Each of these items will be described in further detail infra.

The weld mount tube 200 uses an input tube body 210 defining a body through aperture 212 with an input body interior surface 214 and input body exterior surface 216. An input flange 220 is mounted on the input body exterior surface 216 using tab feet 222 inwardly projecting off of a body ring 224. The elbow curve body section 230 ends in a welded on output flange 240 including a weld edge 242 leading to a rising weld body 244 which steps back at an input force transfer shoulder 246 to the input coupling threads 248 at a flange output end 250. The input coupling threads are seven and one quarter inch (7.25 in) knuckle threads so that the threads can be unscrewed using hand force without requiring tools. A safety chain coupling 260 mounts a safety chain 270 with a chain latch 280 that is selectively latched or connected to the handle 340 to ensure the parts do not unscrew during operation but can be disassembled for cleaning.

The coupling housing body 300 includes a housing input end 310 with input body threads 312 spaced by an input thread friction aperture 314 to allow for the threads to have some independent movement from the remainder of the coupling housing body 300. The coupling housing body 300 further defines a central aperture 316, an output force transfer shoulder 318, an output tube 320, an output seal aperture 324, an output handle retention slot 326, slot lip 328, and a slot handle gap 330 proximate to the housing output end 332. The coupling housing body 300 can be selectively secured and handled by users through the use of a first housing handle mount 340 and a second housing handle mount 342 secured to the outside of the coupling housing body 300 with mounting fasteners 348. Each handle mount 340, 342 includes an angle handle body 344 with a mounting flange 346 with fastener apertures for the mounting fasteners 348 and a handle flange 350 defining a handle aperture 352 for attachment of a connector, snap, hook, carabiner, chain link, rope knot or other method of attachment.

The rotational output tube seal 500 is positioned in the output seal aperture 324 and secured in place by an output seal retainer 600 which is shown as a coupling handle ring 700 but could be as simple as a snap ring. The rotational output tube seal 500 is a flexible material forming a seal body 502 that defines a central seal aperture 504 having a central axis 505 through the seal. The seal body 502 includes a pipe end 506 with an internal pipe output chamfer 508 and a tube lip 510. Rising from the tube lip 510 is a retainer face 512 perpendicular to the central axis 505 which then leads to a body face 514 parallel to the central axis 505. The seal body 502 then defines a body lip 516 at the input end 518 and an internal pipe input chamfer 520 for the central seal aperture 504.

One significant advantage of the present invention is provided by the flexible coupling handle ring 700 and user operable handles 702 716. The coupling handle ring 700 is made of spring metal, one quarter inch stainless steel plate is the preferred material, such that the handles 702, 716 can be compressed for removal and will expand back to their original position for installation as described herein. The coupling handle ring 700 defines a first triangulated offset hand graspable handle 702 that is graspable by a user's fingers with a first outer body tab 704, and a second triangulated offset hand graspable handle 716 with a second outer body tab 718 such that the tabs 704, 718 hold the triangulated offset hand graspable handles 702, 716 outside of the coupling housing body 300 so that the use can grasp them with their fingers to hand disassemble the toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100. Note that the triangulated offset hand graspable handles 702, 716 each have a rounded handle end 720 so the user is not injured by the handles 702, 716.

The coupling handle ring 700 also includes a c shaped handle body 706 with a body interior edge 708 contacting and securing the rotational output tube seal 500 and the body exterior edge 710 defining a first triangulated offset body retention ear 712, a second triangulated offset body retention ear 714, and a handle offset body retention ear 715 where the ears 712, 714, 715 fit into the output handle retention slot 326 behind the slot lip 328 to releasably secure the coupling handle ring 700 in the coupling housing body 300.

The triangulated offset hand graspable handles 702, 716 extend out of the slot handle gap 330 and are separated by a ring handle gap 722 such that the triangulated offset hand graspable handles 702, 716 can be selectively compressed toward each other to remove the handle offset body retention ear 715 from the output handle retention slot 326 behind the slot lip 328 at the slot handle gap 330. When compressed in this manner, the triangulated offset hand graspable handles 702, 716 can be pulled away from the coupling housing body 300 for removal or pushed toward the coupling housing body 300 for installation.

The output tube 800 is installed by pushing into the rotational output tube seal 500 such that the seal is slidably surrounding the output tube body 802. In this manner, the output tube aperture 804 is flowable connected at the output tube coupling end 806 through the central aperture 316 to the body through aperture 212 of the weld mount tube 200.

Reference numerals used throughout the detailed description and the drawings correspond to the following elements:

Toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling 100

weld mount tube 200

input tube body 210

body through aperture 212

input body interior surface 214

input body exterior surface 216

input flange 220

elbow curve body section 230

output flange 240

weld edge 242

rising weld body 244

input force transfer shoulder 246

input coupling threads 248

flange output end 250

safety chain coupling 260

safety chain 270

chain latch 280

coupling housing body 300

housing input end 310

input body threads 312

input thread friction aperture 314

central aperture 316

output force transfer shoulder 318

output tube 320

output seal aperture 324

output handle retention slot 326

slot lip 328

handle gap 330

housing output end 332

first housing handle mount 340

second housing handle mount 342

angle handle body 344

mounting flange 346

mounting fasteners 348

handle flange 350

handle aperture 352

rotational output tube seal 500

output seal retainer 600

coupling handle ring 700

first triangulated offset hand graspable handle 702

first outer body tab 704

c shaped handle body 706

body interior edge 708

body exterior edge 710

first triangulated offset body retention ear 712

second triangulated offset body retention ear 714

second triangulated offset hand graspable handle 716

second outer body tab 718

rounded handle end 720

handle gap 722

output tube 800

output tube body 802

output tube aperture 804

output tube coupling end 806

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

When interpreting the claims of this application, method claims may be recognized by the explicit use of the word ‘method’ in the preamble of the claims and the use of the ‘ing’ tense of the active word. Method claims should not be interpreted to have particular steps in a particular order unless the claim element specifically refers to a previous element, a previous action, or the result of a previous action. Apparatus claims may be recognized by the use of the word ‘apparatus’ in the preamble of the claim and should not be interpreted to have ‘means plus function language’ unless the word ‘means’ is specifically used in the claim element. The words ‘defining,’ having,′ or ‘including’ should be interpreted as open ended claim language that allows additional elements or structures. Finally, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element of the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus for manipulation by a user's hands and fingers, the coupling apparatus comprising: an input tube body defining a body through aperture; a coupling housing body defining a central aperture flowably connected to the body through aperture the coupling housing body defining an output seal aperture proximate to an output handle retention slot and slot lip, the slot lip defining a slot handle gap; an output tube body defining an output tube aperture flowably connected to the body through aperture; a seal body positioned in the output seal aperture, the seal body defining a seal aperture with a seal axis, a tube lip parallel to the seal axis, a retainer face perpendicular to the seal axis, and a body lip perpendicular to the seal axis; and an output seal retainer including a coupling handle ring with a first triangulated offset body retention ear, a second triangulated offset body retention ear, a handle offset body retention ear, a first triangulated offset hand graspable handle, and a second triangulated offset hand graspable handle; the first triangulated offset hand graspable handle and second triangulated offset hand graspable handle separated by a ring handle gap.
 2. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the output seal retainer further including a first outer body tab.
 3. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the output seal retainer further including a second outer body tab.
 4. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first triangulated offset hand graspable handle including a rounded handle end.
 5. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the second triangulated offset hand graspable handle including a rounded handle end.
 6. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the input tube body defining a body through aperture and including an input force transfer shoulder and input coupling threads; the coupling housing body including input body threads for securing to the input coupling threads.
 7. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a safety chain coupling connected to the input tube body; a safety chain connected to the safety chain coupling; a first housing handle mount connected the coupling housing body; the first handle mount defining a handle aperture; and a chain latch connected to the safety chain and the first handle mount.
 8. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim 1, wherein further comprising: the coupling housing body including an output force transfer shoulder; and the output tube including an output tube coupling end positioned adjacent to the output force transfer shoulder.
 9. The toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus of claim further comprising: a first housing handle mount connected the coupling housing body; the first housing handle mount including an angle handle body with a mounting flange and a handle flange defining a handle aperture.
 10. A toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus for manipulation by a user's hands and fingers, the coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling housing body defining a central aperture, the coupling housing body defining an output seal aperture proximate to an output handle retention slot and slot lip, the slot lip defining a slot handle gap; an output seal retainer including a coupling handle ring with a first triangulated offset body retention ear, a second triangulated offset body retention ear, a handle offset body retention ear, a first triangulated offset hand graspable handle, and a second triangulated offset hand graspable handle; the first triangulated offset hand graspable handle and second triangulated offset hand graspable handle separated by a ring handle gap; a seal body positioned in the output seal aperture; the seal body defining a seal aperture with a seal axis and a tube lip parallel to the seal axis.
 11. A toolless disassembly rotational valve coupling apparatus for manipulation by a user's hands and fingers, the coupling apparatus comprising: a coupling housing body defining a central aperture, the coupling housing body defining an output seal aperture proximate to an output handle retention slot and slot lip, the slot lip defining a slot handle gap; an output seal retainer including a coupling handle ring with a first triangulated offset body retention ear, a second triangulated offset body retention ear, a handle offset body retention ear, a first triangulated offset hand graspable handle, and a second triangulated offset hand graspable handle; the first triangulated offset hand graspable handle and second triangulated offset hand graspable handle separated by a ring handle gap; a seal body positioned in the output seal aperture; the seal body defining a seal aperture with a seal axis and a body lip perpendicular to the seal axis. 